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by Michael Monks
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COMMUNITY PREPARES TO RALLY TO REPLACE BURNED OUT PLAYGROUND
As soon as news spread that the playground at Sixth District Elementary School had been destroyed by an overnight fire Sunday, the community was quick to share stories of the park's origins and plans to rebuild it.
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| This used to be a sliding board |
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The Center for Great Neighborhoods raised most of the $250,000 used to build the Sixth District playground thirteen years ago which was slated to undergo a renovation in just a few weeks. Gateway College, the school's business partner, had raised nearly $14,000 for new swings and other amenities. Keep Covington Beautiful had also earned grant money that the organization had hoped to apply to the park's renovation.
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Sixth District School released this statement:
Sixth District School released this statement:
Sixth District Elementary School would like to show our appreciation for everyone's support and well wishes as we move forward past this unfortunate playground fire incident. As a reminder, our school, in conjunction with our B.E.S.T. Partner, Gateway Community Technical College, has already established a playground renovation fundraising account. Although it was not intended to be used to to re-construct, as we will now need to do, we will do whatever is needed to restore the playground to a space that our students, families, and community members may enjoy once again. If you would like to donate to this fundraising effort, you may send your cash, checks, or money orders (payable to Sixth District) directly to our school at the following address:The River City News will update info on the investigation into this fire as soon as more details are gathered.
1901 Maryland AvenueCovington, KY 41014
We will add any additional funds to the renovation account that has already been set up. Mark your calendars for July 21-22, when we plan to rally together and renovate our playground and install a brand new swing set! Thanks!
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IS THIS THE MOST IMPORTANT WEEK IN RECENT COVINGTON HISTORY?
Quite possibly. Two incredibly important meetings are scheduled to lay out the plans to balance next year's budget (which begins July 1) in addition to details being released by Management Partners on how City Hall could reorganize its departments.
City Commissioner Steve Frank posted this to Facebook:
Much will be said on Tuesday and Thursday about what Covington intends on doing to put itself on the path to sustainable recovery. One thing completely out of our hands that is forcing change is the exorbitant cost of state run public pensions. Much of the blame can be laid at the feet of those in Frankfort who didn't put away enough money when times were good in the 1990's. Unfortunately cities and counties cannot put what is now expected of them in to these funds without it affecting service or rethinking how services are delivered.
Check out the full details of this week's meetings in addition to a look back on the week in Covington news inside The Sunday (Evening) Edition.
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CRASH: Covington Police officer crashes vehicle while responding to a wreck WKRC
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MAILMAN ACCUSED OF KILLING DOG MAY FACE CHARGES
The mailman that a Covington family claims repeatedly ran over and killed a dog, could be in more trouble:
Postal investigators said the mail carrier has not been allowed back on street duty since the animal's death was reported.
Police are looking into criminal charges. Video report at the link.
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WILL DOWNTOWN COVINGTON PROPERTY OWNERS PAY MORE TAXES?
That is the question commercial property owners will be asked in the coming weeks as the effort to launch a Business Improvement District begins in earnest. Pat Frew, executive director of the Covington Business Council, tells The River City News that a consultant just finished work on the petition late last week and that the steering committee is still fine-tuning some of the points, but that work will begin on gaining support for a BID either this week or next.
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"Our goal is to get the thresholds we need to get this BID plan approved and we think that if it's approved, once people see the impact it's having, it will be a no-brainer when have to go back and petition them in five years," Frew said. In order for a BID to be created, 51% of commercial property owners representing 51% of the total real estate value of Downtown Covington would have to sign the petition in favor. The BID would be overseen by a board that would then allocate funds from an additional self-assessment that property owners would pay toward marketing, maintenance, and other improvements to the business district. It would need to be renewed every five years. A similar operation is Downtown Cincinnati, Inc.
"Our goal is to get the thresholds we need to get this BID plan approved and we think that if it's approved, once people see the impact it's having, it will be a no-brainer when have to go back and petition them in five years," Frew said. In order for a BID to be created, 51% of commercial property owners representing 51% of the total real estate value of Downtown Covington would have to sign the petition in favor. The BID would be overseen by a board that would then allocate funds from an additional self-assessment that property owners would pay toward marketing, maintenance, and other improvements to the business district. It would need to be renewed every five years. A similar operation is Downtown Cincinnati, Inc.
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"What we're trying to do is get this thing as complete as possible," Frew said. It's unlikely we'll be assessing people next year but we should have a better idea later in the year of where this is headed."
"What we're trying to do is get this thing as complete as possible," Frew said. It's unlikely we'll be assessing people next year but we should have a better idea later in the year of where this is headed."
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Mainstrasse Village was also exploring a possible BID but as of now there is no update to offer.
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REVIEW REJECTS MORE SIGNATURES IN EFFORT TO DISSOLVE NKAPC
The Tea Party and its backers in the NKY Home Builders Association lose again in their effort to rid the region of the organization that ensures that roads and homes are built properly:
Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe found 9,177 of the 24,275 signatures gathered for the petition to dissolve the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission invalid, according to the review submitted to the Kenton County Circuit Court on Friday. That leaves the petition with 15,098 signatures, below the 17,491 signatures needed to put the issue on the ballot. That’s 1,000 more invalid signatures than the original review last year.Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman
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CARNEGIE GETS 117% INCREASE IN ARTSWAVE FUNDING
Good news for the City's thriving visual & performing arts center: ArtsWave (formerly the Fine Arts Fund) has increased its funding of the Carnegie from $23,010 in 2011 to $50,000 in 2012.
Cincinnati Enquirer
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QUICKIES
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Comair plane crash victims' families speak about new memorial marker Herald-Leader
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Young immigrants in Kentucky expect to benefit from President Obama's new policy Herald-Leader
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Columnist: Let's focus on making health care better Herald-Leader
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Manufacturing plant moving from Maysville to Mexico Cincinnati Enquirer
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Governor Beshear releases tax returns, reports nearly $200,000 in income Bluegrass Politics
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Louisville developer willing to resume Kentucky Kingdom talks WFPL
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KY delegates prepare for political conventions amid coal debate Herald-Leader
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Kentucky skydiving record broken Herald-Leader
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KY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER: TEST SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Teachers, principals, and superintendents are regularly tested for qualifications, so why not school board members, too, says Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday:
“Why wouldn’t we have some type of minimum competency for these folks who make tremendous decisions?” Holliday said.Also:
Holliday also answered questions about money in education.“The best investment we can make is helping the teachers we have … We have undercut the training and support of existing teachers. We used to spend about $25-per-student supporting existing teachers, now we spend less than $4 per-student,” Holliday said, pointing to the effects of recent budget cuts to the Department of Education.A full 11-minute interview on some topics that are often discussed in Covington via cn|2:
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SEE ALSO: Kentucky must expand access to preschool and needs more money from cuts or revenue cn|2
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IN CASE YOU MISSED...
Two stories involving in Covington Independent Schools and some of the issues the Commissioner discusses in the video.
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CANDIDATE FOR SCHOOL BOARD EMERGE AT PICNIC FOCUSED ON REFORM
A picnic focused on reforming Covington schools attracts school board members and several candidates. Click the link for the full story, another you won't see anywhere else.
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HIGH COST OF EDUCATION IN COVINGTON ADDRESSED AT RETREAT
The often criticized "cost per pupil" at Covington Independent Public Schools was addressed over the weekend during the school board's retreat. The district's administration highlighted its barriers and successes in a special Saturday meeting. Click the link for details. 
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COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION SETS RATES:
The rate increases for undergraduate, in-state students include: Kentucky Community and Technical College System (which includes Gateway), 3.7 percent; Eastern Kentucky University, 5.2 percent; Kentucky State University, 5 percent; Morehead State University, 5 percent; Murray State University, 4 percent; University of Kentucky, 6 percent; University of Louisville, 6 percent; and Western Kentucky University, 4.9 percent. The Council approved Northern Kentucky University’s tuition and fee schedule in April.press release
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COMMUNITY COLLEGES CHANGE WAY WE FEEL ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
From the White House and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden:
On Tuesday, I met a group of remarkable community college graduates and business leaders who are on the cutting edge of workforce training. As part of my Community College to Career tour, I visited Coyote Logistics, a third-party logistics company. Coyote Logistics is working with City Colleges of Chicago to make sure City Colleges’ logistics training program prepares students with the skills they need to succeed in jobs in the transportation, distribution and logistics industry. The partnership is part of the City Colleges of Chicago’s College to Career program, which works directly with businesses to design curriculum, provide work-based learning, and offer internships, interviews, and top-notch learning facilities to students.The White House/Jill Biden
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Can you help Senior Services of Northern Kentucky?
Love to Cruise in Style? SSNK is in DESPERATE NEED of Volunteer Drivers 2/3 days a week for our 5-9 AM and 2-6 PM shifts Mon - Sat. Flexible hours, flexible days! Call Bobbie for details: 859.292.7945|
SPORTS
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How would Dr. Seuss describe the UK/UofL rivalry?
Then the coach of the red and the coach of the blue,both stepped up to each other, they stood shoe-to-shoe,and both said “I will show you! I’ll get all the greatest!They’ll all jump the highest! They’ll all shoot the straightest!And then, in December we’ll see who’s the best,Oh yes, there is much, much more at the link.
we will see who’s the champ and who’s left with the rest!”
Kentucky Sports Radio
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Former UK football player describes what is wrong with program KSR
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Comparing the 2 best college basketball triangles: Louisville/Lexington/Bloomington... or the one in North Carolina?
KSR
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FIRST NKY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL FOR NEXT SEASON
Defending state champion Holy Cross is picked eighth and perennial loser Scott is picked tenth. Holmes is not ranked.
KYPost.com
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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